Y'all are welcome to both the snow and the cold temps, but please keep them on your side of the Blue Ridge. Over here, it's supposed to be in the low 70's tomorrow. (That's not a record for local early January... in '50 there was a 79* day.) Elias - I have woods hyacinths that are about bloom; now instead of May. Interestingly, neither the crocus nor the daffies have done more than poke up 2 and 3" stems. Relax, Jaz. Around here those daffies would be in crowded company as it's normal for them to have green stems and buds from early February on. Snow doesn't seem to bother them, although it can look a bit strange to see a bed of daffies with their golden trumpets resting on top of 8 inches of snow. BTW, if you do pick frozen daffies, let them thaw out in the fridge for several hours before shocking them with the house's warmth.

You can borrow up to 50% of your vested 401k account up to $50,000. I believe the major drawback of borrowing from your 401k is that you miss out on the compounding of interest. There's no actual penalty other than that provided you pay it all back. You pay yourself back with automatic monthly payments over 5 years with interest (the interest is to yourself as well). Now, I believe that if you're not earning much in that 401k, its not so bad. If the choice is between borrowing from your 401k or a credit card with 20% interest, then I'd go the 401k. But, ideally you should start saving an emergency fund for these kind of things. I didn't check the link to Suze's page, but I know she's dead set against this. I think sometimes she's a bit harsh. JMO. Here is a link that might be useful: Smart Money

Hi Chelone, What's with the listing of your magazines? Was that meant for this thread? Or are you saying that all of those are your cause for belief that "deregulation in banking has encouraged the shocking lending practices that have lead to the present circumstance."? I'm sorry I screwed your name up. I'm usually pretty good about that, and historicially I've been "on the money" with your's, I think. No worries, no offense taken (the mix-up, as I stated, is so extremely common outside of written communications that I'm virtually never offended by it... no even when an offender points out in hindsight that she *MEANT* it to be offensive at the time ;~) I'm either thick-skinned, or thick-skulled (depending who you ask) that way. My own philosophy about investing (WHEN and how) is very different than your's, Dave (sorry again!). I believe in retiring debts efficiently before the term. What do you believe in when the term is too short to efficiently eliminate the leverage, in respect to a person's actual life (not the arbitrarily set term of the loan)? My own portfolio has seen a downturn, but not a terribly precipitous one, frankly. Mostly, I think, because I have paid my major debts in full and now have the option of directing current contributions (that would have be directed to debt/interest payments) to longer term investments. If you look at a comparison of a pre-funded sum growing on a compounding basis (even minus the interest charges considered if the funds were from leverage,) versus a "drip-funded" scheme of the same monthly payment... you'll apparently be quite surprised at how dangerous the "eliminate the leverage, then drip the investment" strategy actually is. I am reasonably certain you will find fault with it all. I'm OK with that. I know that the properties I own are owned "free and clear". I know also that my portfolio is reasonably (within my "risk toleranace") conservative relative to the times frames I have in mind. I'm glad to know you are blissful. ;~) "Broadbrush" is workin' just fine for me. I'll keep that in mind when I see future claims or statements, and pull in the reigns of my accuracy expectations. Here's to your blissful seasons; that you are confronted by no surprises you weren't anticipating, and that you remain safe without having to be aware! Dave Donhoff Leverage Planner

I've loaned money a lot but have pretty much stopped it. I've been stung a couple times by people I thought were friends. I've just decided it has to be something extraordinary for me to do it anymore. It's tough. It goes against many of my beliefs but then again, I worked and work hard for my money. I live a frugal life. When someone is a spendthrift, makes more than me and wants to borrow from me, I've started feeling a bit offended. In addition to what Minnie_tx said, I'd suggest you say in your own words (and practice it several times so you say it smoothly) I know how it is these days. Let's share some tips on making our money go farther, or economizing, or something to that effect. Maybe mention a couple frugal websites you found interesting and you'll share them or something. Frankly it's what they need. If they have to borrow $5-$15 they're probably not budgeting their money properly. Turn off some lights, quit driving as much, buy cheaper and smarter, etc. Are they borrowing it to go to a movie? Go out to eat? Maybe it's time for them to turn off the cable and the contract cell phone(s)? Another good thing to do is to get pro-active on it. When you see these people, just mention how much it was for a prescription, to fill the tank, etc. Mention something like, guess we won't take the trip to see ____ at least for a while. And be sure to give a heavy sigh and say oh well, we're all in the same situation in a way, aren't we? Smile, take a deep breath and change the subject quickly. (Nice that summer's here, doesn't the lawn look nice or whatever) How can someone hit you for a loan after that? And the beauty is you're being honest. I'm one who is opposed to lying to people especially to keep from telling them what they often need to hear but to simply say you just can't do it this time and mention that you understand since you saw your (prescriptions, groceries, car repairs or other honest things) go up and you know how it is to have to tighten your belt. And certainly to be expected to be a bank for a number of people in the building? That's abominable. And to not give you some interest is pretty tacky too. I have a relative in Texas who was impacted by hurricanes a few years back. She called in desperation that all the banks were closed, she couldn't cash her paycheck, needed gas to get to work and the stations that were able to operate were only taking cash and would be closing soon. The power was out and she knew it would be out for days so she wanted to get a few supplies since all refrigerated/frozen items would spoil soon. All she needed was to get $200 until she could cash her check and would pay me back next week. Well, next week became next month, then later and later and I did get paid back over 2 years later and she paid me some interest and costs of wiring the money. What ticked me off was when she was talking she had most of the money but not all of it so she couldn't pay me back right then (she never heard of paying something?) and then it was comments about they deserved something special so she bought some special food and they went out to eat, etc. She was buying things that she really didn't need, well, you know how it goes. And was saying how ashamed she was that it was taking so long and she was afraid to even email me, etc. Well, after finally getting it back, she called again within a year or so wanting to borrow again. This time it was only going to be a month to two months because she had a new job, her husband's disability payments would be coming in, etc. Well that took more than a couple months. She's been hinting again and I've just said that things are tight here. I mention often about gas bills in the winter, insurance, etc. For her own good she needed to be cut off. I'm pretty sure she'll hit up my sister who won't do it after seeing the last couple times, well she says that anyway so it could be she is loaning her something! IDK. All I know is that the Dotmom saving & loan needs to take care of herself. It's easy for things to get out of hand and while I'm sure $5-$10 isn't going to make you go without food or medicine, it cannot go on. That's Buster's catnip fund that's being threatened! ;) Good luck to you my dear. And don't feel bad about protecting you and your husband's (and of course fuzzball's) interests. That's not selfish, that's common sense. A lot of friendships break up over money. That's the way it is. But to me they're not friends if that happens. Friends don't cheat friends out of their money. Wow was it hot and humid around here today! I'll take 30° over this any day! :)